CCTV changes annoy Greens

The Greens have moved a disallowance motion in state parliament against changes introduced by the O'Farrell government relating to CCTV cameras.

The O'Farrell government brought in regulations to exempt all council CCTV operations from privacy laws after the Administrative Decisions Tribunal rejected the basis on which Shoalhaven Council used its CCTV cameras.

Greens' MLC, David Shoebridge, says CCTV alone is not a solution to crime, acting only as marginal deterrent in a wider suite of strategies.

He's now calling on all local councils and the state government to ensure if closed circuit cameras are installed they must be useful, fit-for-purpose and compliant with privacy laws.

"There have been a number of case studies that found, at best, CCTV displaces crime, so crime doesn't occur in the immediate vicinity of the camera and, at best, it moves just outside the camera's vision," he said.

He says they have not considered the impact the motion, if supported, will have in public spaces, shopping malls and high-crime areas.

"I'm horrified that we'd be in a position where the people of NSW, particularly in regional areas, will again be uncertain about whether they have the protection and support from councils by the use of CCTV," he said.

"Clearly, many people, quite rightly, feel they can safely walk down the malls and streets of our towns and cities because CCTV exists."

The motion is due for debate in state parliament in the week beginning May 27.